National Resource Inventory (NRI)

1997 National Resources Inventory

(Revised December 2000)

Almost 17% of the Nation's total surface area (excluding Alaska) is used for production of crops. The 1997 NRI database includes detailed information for estimating how cropland is used and managed, and how competing land pressures affect cropland use and management.

Cropland represents 66.6% of the total surface area in Illinois, far in excess of the national ratio.

Corn and soybeans dominate cultivated cropland acreage (91%). Smaller acreage of other crops such as sunflowers, grain sorghum, popcorn, rye, small grains, and vegetable crops are also growned in Illinois.